A morning roundup of news, opinion, and links from City Paper and around the District. Send tips and ideas to citydesk@washingtoncitypaper.com.

“It’s easy to accuse an incumbent of being in the pocket of corporations.”

For proof of how much development interests influence D.C. politics, just consult the campaign finances of At-Large Councilmember and affordable housing committee chairperson Anita Bonds. She raised more than $51,000 for her re-election bid from only 78 donations between February 1 and March 10, City Paper’s Loose Lips found. Most of the money came from people and companies associated with D.C.’s booming building industry. The figures prompted some onlookers to criticize the councilmember for a potential conflict of interest.

Campaign finance issues continue to loom over lawmakers running for re-election. During a forum on Thursday evening for Ward 1 council candidates, an attendee pointedly asked incumbent Brianne Nadeau why she deserves a second term in the Wilson building—beyond her fundraising capabilities. (Nadeau is running against five other registered candidates, none of whom come close to matching her in contributions.)

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • D.C. reached a settlement with Walmart in a dispute over planned development in Ward 7. The retail giant will pay $1.3 million. [WCP]

  • Howard University students protest after the president acknowledges that employees misappropriated financial aid funds. [WTOP]

  • A group of homeless D.C. residents file a class-action suit against the city government for allegedly tossing their belongings while breaking up encampments. [Post]

  • This truly crazy weather is confusing D.C.’s cherry blossoms. [Curbed]

  • Virginia’s transportation agency is a hot mess. [Post]

  • Activists complain that the Metropolitan Police Department isn’t collecting legally mandated data on stop-and-frisks. [WAMU]

LOOSE LIPS LINKS, by Andrew Giambrone (tips? agiambrone@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Ward 1 D.C. Council candidates debate Comprehensive Plan, development. [Facebook]

  • D.C. stands to make more than $400,000 from tickets during last week’s snow. [Twitter]

  • The District’s popular, competitive, and anxiety-inducing school lottery, explained. [Post]

ARTS LINKS, by Matt Cohen (tips? mcohen@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Here’s what’s new and notable in the D.C. music world. [DC Music Download]

  • Meet Edward Nassor, the man behind the music of the Washington National Cathedral’s bell tower. [NBC4]

  • One more man for you to meet, a local hat-maker who’s been making hats in the D.C. area for decades. [Dig]

  • Studio Theatre’s Translations asks if identity changes when language does. [WCP]

  • Check out these weird and wonderful vintage D.C. postcards. [WAMU]

  • Your jazz agenda this week includes Todd Marcus, Andrew White, and Hope Udobi. [WCP]

  • At the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Do Ho Suh‘s Ethereal “homes” depict isolation. [WCP]

YOUNG & HUNGRY LINKS, by Laura Hayes (tips? lhayes@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • This hospitality industry pro wants to build a pipeline to more black-owned businesses. [WCP]

  • Mike Isabella’s restaurants have been removed from the running for a RAMMY Award. [Post]

  • A group of female Mike Isabella Concepts employees pen letters of support for their boss. [Washingtonian]

  • Critical viewing for Korean barbecue fans. [Eater]

  • California wants to put a cancer warning on coffee labels. [Los Angeles Times]

HOUSING COMPLEX LINKS, by Morgan Baskin (tips? mbaskin@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • A D.C. General resident relays confusion about when families are supposed to leave the shelter. [WCP]

  • CIH properties, which manages a D.C. Housing Authority property in Northeast, is sued by a woman who claims her property manager exhumed her deceased cat and threw it in a trash can. [WCP]

  • Expect to see these gorgeous ‘80s-inspired posters around Southwest D.C. in April, courtesy of a collaboration between the Hirshhorn and local artists. [Curbed]

  • What’s next for Washington’s “forgotten” river? [WAMU]

  • How does everyone feel about using “CoHi” to abbreviate Columbia Heights? (But seriously: Email me and tell me how you feel about it. Address above.) [PoPville]

  • Let me get a rousing HECK YES: Suns Cinema is looking to expand. [PoPville]

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